Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Mayberry, Granderson, Lagares Sizzling

Who’s Hot:

Matt Harvey – Harvey has come out swinging this spring. National League – be afraid. Be very afraid. In 14.1 innings this spring, he’s struck out 12 while walking 1 with a WHIP of 0.84 to go with a sparkling 1.26 ERA. He’s also been breezing through his starts. We missed you Matt. Welcome Home.

John Mayberry, Jr. – Mayberry has been hitting this spring at a .452 clip with 14 hits in 31 sprint at bats. He’s also walked 5 times and knocked in 2 HR’s and 8 RBI for a .514 OBP / .710 slugging line. The Mets signed Mayberry to give the team some pop from the right hand side against lefties – he’s struggled in his career against right handed pitching with a career .224/.293/.365 slash line. This spring he’s been tearing up right-handers going 9 for 18 with 4 walks. So is this spring an illusion? We’ll see once the bell rings on the regular season.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis – Kirk knows that it’s now or never for him. He has the upper hand in the 4th outfielder spot over Matt den Dekker since he’s out of options, but he also has to earn his roster spot. He’s playing like he wants on the team for sure, hitting .432 (16 for 37) with 5 doubles, 6 walks and a .512 OBP with a 1.079 OPS. He won’t hurt us at any of the outfield spots and he has left handed pop off the bench. No complaints about him breaking camp with team.

Juan Lagares – The Golden Man is flashing the bat this spring, too. He got an inside the park homer against the Yankees on Sunday and he’s hitting .417 with a .475 OBP. We want our leadoff hitter to get on base. Yep, he’s doing it. Well done, Juan.

Johnny Monell – He’s hoping to earn the Mets backup catcher spot. He’s making his case to do so, hitting .379 with 3 HR in 15 spring games. Do I think he’ll break camp with the team? Highly unlikely. Even if he does hit lefty and has some pop off the bench, Recker also has pop. Recker also threw out 37% of base stealers last season vs. just 17% for Monell. The Mets need someone who can throw out runners.

Curtis Granderson – The Grandy Man has been hitting a Ted Williams – esque .407 this spring with 2 HR, 6 walks, and just 4 strikeouts. Let’s see him take this north and continue!

Who’s Not:

Bartolo Colon – Bartolo has a 7.71 ERA this spring in 11.2 innings and batters are hitting .367 off him. I highly doubt he cares what his spring stats are. He’s a veteran and not trying to make the team. I won’t be worried unless we’re seeing these same numbers after 4 regular season starts.

Scott Rice – Rice isn’t stating his case very well for the wide open lefty spot in the bullpen. He’s no longer on the 40 man roster, and a 9.64 ERA in the spring isn’t likely to get it done, unless it’s entirely by default.

Sean Gilmartin – Rule 5 pick Gilmartin has his opportunity right in front of him. He’s made 6 appearances this spring with batters hitting .308 against him with 4 walks in 6.1 innings. Not exactly getting the job done.

Dario Alvarez – Alvarez also has an opportunity to win the lefty bullpen job. Hitters are hitting only .176 against him. Unfortunately he’s also walked 5 batters in 5 innings. No one is taking the lefty spot by the horns.

Anthony Recker – Recker is trying to hold onto his backup backstop role. He’s being chased by Monell and is batting just .148. Luckily for him, he’s the incumbent and as previously mentioned, throwing out 37% of base stealers is in his favor. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t go north, but he may be in danger as Plawecki progresses.

Roger is a lifelong Mets fan since 1981, now married with kids and still knows that there is no such thing as a bad day at the ballpark with your child. Growing up, he wanted to be either the Second Baseman for the Mets - or their statistician. Follow him at @BigMetsFan1. email him at metsfanontwitter@aol.com